Catasetum closing in on blooming

This is a discussion on Catasetum closing in on blooming within the **NOT IN BLOOM** All Genera forums, part of the Orchid Photography category; My first catasetum spike is getting rather developed. Hopefully it will continue and make it ...

Catasetum closing in on blooming

My first catasetum spike is getting rather developed. Hopefully it will continue and make it to blooming! I count 12 or 13 buds!
This one is:
Catasetum Frilly Doris 'SVO II AM/AOS x Catasetum denticulatum 'SVO II' AM/AOS from Fred Clarke.

Is a grower able to control the sex of the flowers? If so, what is that mechanism?

---------- Post Merged at 04:48 PM ----------

This is all of my catasetum alliance orchids except for one. And I have had them outdoors since late May (we still can be cool overnight, mid 50's F, at that time of year)

robust plant in high lighting growing condition favors the production of female flowers but some species/hybrid are more difficult in inducing female flowers.
those are male spikes developing there and there are plenty of buds. congrats. keep us updated when they bloom

Ian, how you can differentiate from looking on spike what gender flower will be?

by looking at the pedicels. female pedicles are broader and shorter. the more you trained to look at them, the earlier you can tell its sex.
in addition, female spike has a broader diameter peduncle, but you are talking about 1-2mm difference so it does take a lot of observation and trained eye.

for most species with arching or pendant spike, you can tell that it is a female spike the moment you see an erected spike developing.

by looking at the pedicels. female pedicles are broader and shorter. the more you trained to look at them, the earlier you can tell its sex.
in addition, female spike has a broader diameter peduncle, but you are talking about 1-2mm difference so it does take a lot of observation and trained eye.

for most species with arching or pendant spike, you can tell that it is a female spike the moment you see an erected spike developing.

Yes. I don't know why it's true but in the orchid world an erection is from a female. Life is so confusing!!!!

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